What is a better assignment, Landstuhl or Tripler? My reenlistment window is coming up soon.

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 22:19:02 -0400

I'm coming up on my first reenlistment, I'm a 68W. I've been with Civil Affairs and am currently with aviation. However, I would like to know some stories, opinions, etc. I would like to get duty assignment of choice, given that, I'm torn between Landstuhl and Trippler. I also have dependents. I would love input from anyone with experience in regard to either duty station.

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Apr 24 at 2016 10:46 PM

SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 22:46:37 -0400

The German people, landscape, history and its culture are wonderful things to experience.
Europe has an excellent mass transit system and Germany has street cars, buses, taxis and trains to travel locally.
I would get all the specifics on the unit assignment and duties you are reenlisting for like future rotations and deployments.
You need to be command sponsored in order for your depends to utilize housing and various facilities
Since, you mentioned you have dependents are there any special needs.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Apr 25 at 2016 12:32 AM

Capt Michael Greene — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 00:32:55 -0400

Hawaii is wonderful, but not huge. Germany is in the middle of the entire world! I used to live in Landstuhl. Every evening was a night out, every weekend was a partying road trip. Went to many places, each several times: Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, Athens, Barcelona, London, etc. For leave, we cruised in the Mediteranian and the Nile River, went on photo safari to Kenya, saw the pyramids, etc. Then again, Hawaii is pretty, too.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 25 at 2016 12:00 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 12:00:52 -0400

Let me say up front that you have two great choices. Both have pros and cons. I have been TDY in Germany and in Hawaii and knew many people who have been stationed in both places. IMO, take Germany.

Germany offers great opportunities for you and your family to see Europe. You mentioned you have dependents. The kids may get an opportunity to see parts of history that they will otherwise only read about in text books. Also, it gives everybody a chance to learn at least one foreign language. I don't know the status of DoD schools in Germany now, but they were at one time very good. The grade school and middle school kids went to school on or near the installation. Unfortunately, high school kids sometimes went to government-run boarding schools. Depending on the age of your kids, look into the school thing. The cost of living will be high. You'll get overseas allowances for living and housing, but it may not cover the costs. Your spouse may have a hard time finding employment if she wants to work, so that's a consideration. On post housing can range from modern high rise apartments to converted WWII barracks, so check into that also. Your job in Civil Affairs may allow you to interact with the German and other European populations giving you an opportunity to gain perspectives that most Americans don't have. You are a long plane ride from home in the USA. You may feel some isolation due to the distance from home and language barrier. My brother-in-law and his family were stationed in Germany a lifetime ago. They loved it. They lived on the economy and really liked their German neighbors and the European life style. Another friend went to Germany as a Captain with his wife and two kids. He worked a variety of assignments to stay in Europe for about 15 years. His kids went to German schools, learned multiple languages, and had to come back to the USA to gain an understanding of their home country.

My friends who lived in Hawaii explained many of its drawbacks and advantages to me. It's an island. You can only go so many places on an island and then you start feeling isolated. Mainland USA is a long plane ride away. However, HI is also a US State. The official language is English. There are problems with the school system and non-native kids may be bullied in some instances. On the other hand, the weather is great. It may rain a little many days, but sunshine abounds and the beaches are spectacular. The cost of living is definitely higher than the CONUS, but you'll get living and housing allowance increases. As an E-4, it's likely you will have difficulty finding affordable housing off post. My friends had difficulty finding a descent house an O-4. On-base housing I saw looked nice, but I'm unsure of the availability for your pay grade. Your spouse may find more employment opportunities than she would in Germany.

There are many variables I can't address in your decision process. The health and welfare of your parents and in-laws may be a consideration. Your own career advancement may be effected by your decision if you move into a unit with limited opportunities for you to get leadership positions (if that's what you want). When I had a similar decision to make, move to Alaska or Germany, I took Alaska. I went there for the mission and the schools for my kids. I had one kid in high school and one in middle school. I didn't want them to go to boarding schools. The C-130 mission in Alaska was providing real-world airlift supporting all of the services. In Germany it was mostly training missions.

Good luck in making a wise selection. Wherever you go take advantage of all the opportunities there and you'll be happy you went.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2016 1:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 13:48:02 -0400

Your choice is going to be what you make of it. I was in Germany for two years and it was a lot of fun. I wouldn't mind going back one bit. I've never been to Hawaii but it's a hopeful location. What I can say though is that I was stationed in Vilseck, and even being stationed there (it's in the middle of nowhere), it's a great experience. I've heard only great things about Landstuhl, it's in a great location. You can even hop up to Belgium for some beer and chocolate...

Something people mistake in their choice of duty station is that the duty station itself will make their experience, that is simply not true. You have to get out and enjoy. I was at Fort Campbell and it was great, I'm at Fort Drum now and all you ever hear is bad things about Fort Drum...personally, I like it better than Fort Campbell.

Do yourself a favor before you choose, research both places and things you want to do/can do while you're there. ALSO look at the cost, Germany and Hawaii aren't always the cheapest places to enjoy. Look at things you can do with your spouse while there as well. Also think about the climate of the world in that area...Hawaii is pretty isolated, Germany is in the middle of Europe and currently has a massive Syrian refugee crisis with known ISIS militants in the areas...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2016 2:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 14:01:52 -0400

If you can avoid going to a Meddac, that would be my advice. Going from a real unit to a meddac is a struggle.

Response by SPC Dennis Escobar made May 6 at 2016 2:04 AM

SPC Dennis Escobar — Fri, 06 May 2016 02:04:31 -0400

I was a 68j when I was station in tripler and it would be your deeam job depending on where you end up working. No matter how bad or how hard, if you end up in the "pink palace" you are set. On the other hand if you end up going to one of the clinics in schoffield barracks, it might not be as pleasant, but then again, you cannot beat Hawaii. Once you there if you feel bored you can go to north shore or go tonthe sand bar in Kaneohe bay (via marine corp base) etc. Also you can visit the neighbour islands for 50 to 60% cheaper than coming from the mainland. A plane ticket might cost between 45 to 125 to go to the closest island and you can find resorts packages really good. Last trip I did I went to the big island for 1000 including airfare, a rental (jeep) and 10 days stat in the kona sea side hotel. Nuff said

Response by 1SG Hector A. Rivera made May 7 at 2016 9:03 AM

1SG Hector A. Rivera — Sat, 07 May 2016 09:03:41 -0400

Go to Germany. I spent 6 years there, and if I could have managed it, I'd still be there. As a matter of fact, I'm looking for a way to end up there. Hawaii is beautiful, but it is very small. The memories will be amazing!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 8:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 08:18:03 -0400

Landstuhl is a cesspool. Don't go.

Response by SGT Jeffrey Dennis made May 14 at 2016 12:55 AM

SGT Jeffrey Dennis — Sat, 14 May 2016 00:55:35 -0400

Personally I would take Landstuhl, I've been there on TDY orders. However, I was single with no kids, and enjoyed it. I have never been to Tripler. My favorite is Brooke, but as a whiskey, you've already been there. Good Luck, and make the Medical Corps proud.
And make sure you take the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) course, if you haven't already. It will make you a better medic even if you fail, and have to take it again. What company were you in at the 232nd Medical Battalion?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 12:37 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 00:37:54 -0400

i thought hawaii would be awesome. its not mostly homeless people and locals that dont like anyone who isnt local

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 2:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 02:51:14 -0400

Currenty at Tripler now and Hawaii is absolutely beautiful. Two temperatures good and GREAT! Buttt I must say Germany you can go so many other places cheap and easy, so I'd go with Germany.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2016 2:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 14:14:27 -0400

We'be just PCSd to Hawaii now and we LOVE it. We plan on Landsthul next, but Hawaii is providing our family with the opportunity to save as much as possible without feeling like we're missing out. There's a lot to do on the island and so long as you enjoy the outdoors, you're going to have a great time. Map out your family's goals and see which assignment will help you achieve it.